Jaw soreness, clicking sounds when you chew, and lingering headaches can make even the simplest parts of your day feel like a chore. If you’ve been living with this kind of discomfort, you’re far from alone. TMJ issues affect a significant number of people and can turn eating, sleeping, or even laughing into something you dread. At King Centre Dental, we see how much this pain can affect our Alexandria, VA neighbors, and we’re here to help. Our approach to TMJ therapy in Alexandria focuses on listening first, then building care around what you actually need.
What Is TMJ Therapy in Alexandria?
The temporomandibular joints connect your jaw to your skull, and when they aren’t functioning properly, the effects can ripple outward. You might feel pain near your ears, notice your jaw catching or locking, or hear popping and clicking when you eat. Some patients come to us after months of unexplained headaches or neck tension, not realizing the jaw is often the source.
TMJ therapy addresses these problems through targeted, non-invasive approaches. Depending on your symptoms, treatment might include a custom oral appliance worn while you sleep, bite adjustments, or guided exercises to relieve tension in the jaw muscles. There’s no single solution that works for everyone, which is why we start with a thorough evaluation before recommending anything.
Signs You Might Benefit From TMJ Therapy
TMJ problems don’t always announce themselves clearly. Sometimes the symptoms are subtle or inconsistent, which makes them easy to brush off. Here’s what to watch for:
- Pain or tenderness in the jaw, neck, or shoulders.
- Clicking, popping, or grating sounds when opening or closing your mouth.
- Difficulty chewing or a bite that feels misaligned.
- Jaw stiffness, especially in the morning.
- Frequent tension headaches with no obvious cause.
- Jaw locking in an open or closed position.
Even if these symptoms come and go, they tend to compound over time. Getting a clear diagnosis sooner means more options and, usually, faster relief.
How We Approach TMJ Care
Every patient’s jaw pain has its own story, and that’s how we treat it. We don’t rely on cookie-cutter protocols. Dr. Benson Clark takes the time to review your health history, assess your jaw movement, and ask questions that help connect the dots between your symptoms and their sources. You can review his background and training here to get a sense of the depth of experience behind your care.
Our TMJ therapy process is built around clarity. We explain what we’re seeing, your options, and what to realistically expect from each path. You won’t leave your appointment with unanswered questions or a vague plan. We keep things straightforward because jaw pain is already stressful enough without adding confusion to the mix.
What to Expect at Your First Visit
Your first appointment is largely about gathering information and making sure you feel comfortable with the process. Here’s how it typically goes:
- We review your health and dental history in detail.
- Dr. Clark performs a gentle hands-on examination of your jaw movement and surrounding muscles.
- We may use imaging to get a clearer picture of what’s happening in the joint.
- You’ll receive a plain-language explanation of your findings.
- We walk through your options together so you can make an informed decision.
There’s no pressure and no rush. Our goal is to give you enough information to feel confident moving forward, whatever you decide.
More Than Just TMJ Care
While TMJ therapy in Alexandria is a significant part of what we do, our practice covers a broad range of dental services to support your overall oral health. From general dentistry to more specialized care, we aim to be a consistent resource for patients throughout the Alexandria area. You can read more about our practice and the team behind it on our about page.
We’re conveniently located in Alexandria, making it easy to fit an appointment into your schedule without a long commute.
Stop Letting Jaw Pain Run the Show
You shouldn’t have to plan meals around what your jaw can handle or wake up every morning with tension in your face and neck. If TMJ discomfort has been holding you back, now is a good time to get answers. Reach out to us through our contact page, and let’s figure out what’s going on together. Relief is closer than you think.
